Vilnius Celebrates Three Decades of Harmonious Legacy with “Star quartet”
VILNIUS, Lithuania – Vincas Kudirka Square resonated with beloved melodies Saturday as the iconic “Star Quartet” marked its 30th anniversary with a special two-part concert. The performance drew a crowd of devoted fans eager to celebrate the enduring impact of the Lithuanian vocal ensemble.
For three decades, the “Star quartet” has been a cornerstone of Lithuanian musical culture, navigating numerous personnel changes while consistently delivering polished, four-part harmonies. The group’s longevity speaks to a commitment to musical excellence and a dedication to preserving a unique vocal tradition-a tradition founder Valdemaras Frankonis has steadfastly championed.
The anniversary concert featured Frankonis alongside Ona Aleksiūnaitė, Asta Bagdonavičienė, and a guest appearance by Algis Frankonis. Throughout its history, the quartet has also included Janina Miščiukaitė, Viktoras Malinauskas, and Vytautas Šiškauskas among its rotating cast of performers.
Frankonis acknowledged the frequent shifts in the group’s lineup, noting the differing priorities of singers. “There was always a huge change of performers in our quartet. There were a lot of them. There were new ones, they got that some want to sing, while others want to make money faster, but I don’t really want to rehearse,” he explained.
He emphasized the rigorous standards for joining the “Star Quartet,” stating that a willingness to dedicate time to rehearsals and the ability to read music are non-negotiable. “It is not enough to replicate music from the records. When we work, we sing four voices, so reading from notes is a must,” Frankonis asserted, underscoring the quartet’s commitment to precise, collaborative musicianship.
